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Former Senator Obi is dead
A former Senator, Onyeabo Obi is dead.
He passed away at the age of 82.
His brother, Zik Obi wrote, confirmed the passing in a statement.
“I wish to personally inform members of Otu Oka Iwu that my eldest brother and past President of Otu Oka Iwu and Bencher, Senator Onyeabo Obi, Os’oji Nnewi, passed on to greater glory.”
He added that due to the COVID-19 safety protocols, “physical condolence visits are not necessary or encouraged”.
Obi was an international business lawyer.
He served on the Advisory Committee on Rules of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Born November 20, 1938 in Ogidi, Anambra State, Obi attended St Cyprian’s School, Port Harcourt (1943-50), and Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar (1951-55).
He studied at North-Western Polytechnic, London (1958-59), and later London School of Economics and Political Science (1959-62).
The deceased was Director, Nigerian Rubber Board (1977-1979), and a Senator (1979-1983).
Former Senator Obi is dead
The KwaZulu-Natal High Court has dismissed the application of the French arms company Thales in which it sought to challenge the racketeering charges against it and former President Jacob Zuma. According to reports, the application was also dismissed with costs.
NPA WELCOMES HIGH COURT DISMISSAL AGAINST THALES
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the decision of the High Court of South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Division, Pietermaritzburg to dismiss the application of the French arms company Thales, challenging racketeering charges against it.
“We look forward to the criminal hearing,” said NPA National Spokesperson Sipho Ngwema.
According to SABC News, Thales said in its application that the head of the NPA was mistaken in authorising a racketeering charge. Advocate Barry Roux told the court on behalf of Thales, that the State cannot substantiate the allegations that the French company knowingly participated in alleged corruption and bribes involving Zuma and Schabir Shaik from 1995 to 2005.
It was reported that Thales made a R500 000 bribe to Zuma, seeking protection from the investigation while the underhanded Arms Deal was seen through.
Read more on Thales, Zuma and the arms deal here.
ZUMA DODGES ZONDO COMMISSION
While Thales’ application has been dismissed, Zuma is still dodging appearances at the Zondo Commission. He was meant to appear from 18 – 22 January but the week before his lawyer Eric Mabuza furnished the commission with a letter saying it wouldn’t be fair for the former president to appear.
Zuma essentially applied for Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to recuse himself from his hearing as it would be a conflict of interest. Zondo denied his claims, especially that he would act with bias, and later refused his recusal bid.
Thereafter a review application was launched to try and overturn Zondo’s decision. It is Mabuza and Zuma’s view that he cannot appear before the commission until the outcome of the review application is determined.
“We respectfully submit that President Zuma will not be appearing before the Commission on 18-22 January 2021. Accordingly, Counsel will not be briefed to appear,” added Mabuza.
On the same day Mabuza furnished the commission with the notice, the commission announced that it would be halted due to Zondo coming into close contact with a COVID-19 positive case.
Three persons have been feared killed in a fresh attack at the ongoing communal crisis between Uko-nteghe Uda and Uko Akpan Enwang communities in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Report says of the three, one of them was beheaded.
This has continued to increase the number of those killed in the warring communities.
The incident, it was gathered happened in the early hours of Thursday and the situation has become dangerous and has made so many people to flee their homes.
According to a source close to the communities who pleaded anonymity, ”the situation in Mbo Local Government Area is still very scary as we speak. Many have fled their homes to seek protective cover elsewhere. This morning there was an attack and two people were killed and one beheaded.”
However, the Police Public Relations officer, Odiko Macdon, said the command can only confirm two casualties.
He called on political stakeholders to intervene in the matter to bring the crisis to an end.
“So far, we have confirmed two casualties, our officers and men are still on ground to restore normalcy to the communities. We call on the political class and other critical stakeholders to intervene too.
“All parties must as a matter of urgency and for the good of the inhabitants and the State at large, sheathe their swords and give peace a chance to prevail.
“The commissioner of police, Andrew Amiengheme, has deployed more men, and we will continue to dominate the affected space until normalcy is fully restored.”
In a break of tradition, the elders travelled to Senator Moi’s family home in Kabarak where the ceremony, historically conducted in Nandi, was carried out on Friday morning, January 22.
The elders handed him the community’s instruments of power and gave him the mandate to look for the country’s leadership.
The elaborate ceremony which involved traditional rituals took three hours.
The instruments include Sambut (a shield with a leopard skin), Rungut (a club), Nogirwet (a leadership staff), Sharit (an ordinary stick), Ngecheret (a three-legged stool), Kipkaliangit (a fly whisk) and Kutwet (a monkey-skin hat).
Senator Moi had been blocked from attending a similar ceremony in Nandi on January 2 by irate supporters of the DP.
Ruto’s supporters blocked a section of the road obstructing the senator’s convoy when it arrived.
This made Moi move the ceremony’s venue to his Kabarak home. According to reports, the Senator is eyeing to be installed as the official Kalenjin leader, a position said to be occupied by Ruto.
The DP received the blessings from the clan in June 2020, in a ceremony that split the Talai elders.
A section of the elders poked holes into the ritual that was conducted on Ruto.
Led by Talai clan vice-chair Christopher Koyogi, the elders stated that the right procedure was not followed.
“The ceremony was conducted by young men who did not know what they were doing. When you promise money, they can do whatever you want them to do,” he criticised.
